Technical sheet of the variety of Red Apricots Otelo-cov
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Fruit flesh color: Orange flesh
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Skin color: Deep red.
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Size and shape: Large caliber (AA), elongated in shape.
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Tree size: Good vigor, semi-upright habit.
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Fruit maturity: About 15 days after the Flopria-cov variety, or about 10 days before the Bergeron variety.
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Fruit taste: Excellent taste quality (rated AA). Firm and sweet flesh.
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Earliness of the variety: Semi-early.
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Fruiting period Early to mid-July (estimate based on maturity).
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Disease resistance and storage: Good resistance to monilia. Very good fruit firmness, good post-harvest stability. No tendency to crack.
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Variety yield: Very good production (around 20 to 25 kg per adult tree). Fruiting relatively quickly (2 to 3 years after planting).
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Is this variety self-fertile? Yes, self-fertile.
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Commercial use: Very suitable for fresh consumption due to its size, appearance and taste. Also suitable for processing (preserves, compotes, jams) and potentially for export due to its firmness.
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Is this a COV variety? Yes, protected variety (Otelo-cov). Breeder: Probably PSB Producción Vegetal (Spain), like other "Red" varieties.
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Comments: Attractive variety with an intense red color. Adapts well to different regions, including those with harsh winters. Simplifies orchard management thanks to its self-fertility.
Quick read / the essentials on apricot tree Rouge Otelo-cov
Rouge Otelo-cov is a mid-season to semi-late apricot variety, protected by a Plant Variety Certificate (PVC), developed by PSB Producción Vegetal. It is distinguished by its resistance to Sharka , its self-fertility , and its highly attractive fruits, suitable for premium fresh sales. With a maturity positioned between Flopria and Bergeron, it fits perfectly into a spread harvest calendar.
The fruit, medium to large in size (AA) , has a red skin covering 75 to 100% of the surface, and a firm, sweet flesh with an excellent flavor. Its firmness guarantees good post-harvest preservation and facilitates commercial handling. The tree displays moderate to good vigor, a semi-erect habit, and rapid fruit set, with yields estimated at between 20 and 25 kg per adult tree.
Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of apricot plants , offers you this high-performance variety with complete technical support, from the choice of rootstocks (Montclar, Rubira, Rootpac 20) to cultural management. You can buy Rouge Otelo-cov apricot plants with the assurance of expert monitoring and certified plant material.
As a specialist wholesale supplier of apricot plants , Arboriverse is the ideal partner for purchasing Rouge Otelo-cov apricot plants and promoting your commercial offering on the high-end fresh produce market.
Origin and varietal status
The Red Otelo-cov apricot tree is a protected varietal creation , probably developed by PSB Producción Vegetal, a Spanish company specializing in fruit breeding. The suffix "-cov" indicates a Plant Variety Certificate (PVC) , implying that the multiplication and commercialization of this variety are regulated and require authorization from the breeder.
Tree shape and vigor
The Rouge Otelo-cov has moderate to good vigor , with a semi-erect habit. This architecture makes the tree accessible to manual pruning and cultural operations , while ensuring good light exposure. Although the adult height is not specified, it is reasonable to estimate a usual size of 3 to 6 meters , depending on the rootstock used.
Flowering and precocity
The variety is mid-season to semi-late , reaching maturity about 15 days after Flopria and 10 days before Bergeron . This intermediate position in the calendar allows for crop diversification and optimized orchard management. Flowering is synchronized with varieties such as Milord-cov , which offers opportunities for pollinator associations, although this is not essential.
Self-fertility and pollination
Rouge Otelo-cov is self-fertile , a valuable characteristic for single-variety orchards. No specific pollinator is required, but as is often the case, cross-pollination can improve fruit set and consistency of production. Group flowering with other varieties can therefore be beneficial but is not essential.
Fruiting and yield
The variety displays very good productivity , with an estimated yield of between 20 and 25 kg per adult tree under optimal growing conditions. Fruit set is rapid , which promotes an accelerated return on investment after planting. These characteristics reinforce the economic interest of the variety for intensive or diversification tree farms.
Description of the fruits
The fruit is elongated and has an intense red skin , covering 75 to 100% of the surface . This uniform and lively pigmentation gives it a strong attractiveness on the shelves, meeting the criteria of the premium fresh market. The medium to large size (AA) is another commercial asset, facilitating the display in crates or unit packaging.
The flesh is probably yellow-orange in color, with red hues near the skin, as is common with red apricots. It is firm and sweet , with overall taste qualities judged to be excellent (AA rating) . This organoleptic profile makes the fruits very pleasant to eat , both fresh and in desserts.
Ability to store
The firmness of the flesh suggests good post-harvest stability , conducive to damage-free transport and long-distance marketing . Although data on precise shelf life are not documented, this firmness is generally correlated with increased resistance to handling .
Resistance to diseases and parasites
One of the major advantages of Rouge Otelo-cov is its confirmed resistance to Sharka (Plum Pox Virus) , a dreaded and regulated pathology in the apricot industry. This quality provides increased health security for producers.
Concerning other diseases and pests, information remains limited. No cases of particular sensitivity to cryptogamic diseases (brown rot, powdery mildew) or parasitic diseases (aphids, fruit flies) have been reported, but cultural vigilance remains necessary , as for all tree production.
Pedoclimatic adaptation
Available data do not specify tolerance to limestone or drought. However, as with all apricot trees, it is advisable to plant on well-drained soils , to avoid root asphyxiation , and to ensure a regular water supply during the growth and fruiting phases.
Compatible rootstocks
Sources do not provide a specific recommendation for this variety. However, in the French context, several high-performance rootstocks are possible :
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Montclar® : very widespread, good compromise for many soils.
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Rubira : limits vigor, suitable for filtering soils.
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Rootpac® 20 / R : tolerant of heavy or calcareous soils.
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Myrobalan : classic, robust and versatile.
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Carrizo / Citrumelo 4475 / Citrange C35 : more used in intensive or constrained systems.
The choice must be made according to local conditions (texture, pH, humidity) and technical objectives (vigor, precocity, longevity).
Commercial use and valorization
The Rouge Otelo-cov is primarily intended for sale as high-end fresh produce . Its visual appearance, post-harvest stability and taste qualities make it a niche product that can be valued on specialist or export markets .
Although processing is not the preferred destination, fruits that do not meet aesthetic standards could be used in jam, compote or artisanal preserves , thus limiting commercial losses.
In summary
The Red Otelo-cov apricot tree is a safe bet for producers looking for a productive, self-fertile, Sharka-resistant variety, and perfectly calibrated for the fresh market . Its intermediate harvest period, good firmness, and intense red color meet current commercial requirements.
Before planting, it remains essential to validate the variety's performance locally, particularly through comparative trials or the support of specialist nurserymen and technicians.
To summarize: Red Apricot Otelo-cov
The Rouge Otelo-cov apricot tree is a modern, productive variety, calibrated for the fresh market. With an intense red fruit , AA size , and firm, sweet flesh, it perfectly meets the requirements of consumers and specialist distributors. Its self-fertility simplifies orchard management, and its resistance to Sharka secures production in sensitive areas. Its harvest period, positioned between Flopria and Bergeron, allows marketing to be extended during periods of high demand.
The tree's moderate to good vigor, combined with rapid and even fruiting, ensures a good balance between growth and yield. The choice of rootstock (Montclar, Myrobalan, Rootpac R, etc.) must be adapted to the soil and pedoclimatic context to maximize the variety's potential. Its post-harvest performance makes it an ideal solution for direct sales, long supply chains, and even some export markets.
Arboriverse , a specialist wholesale supplier of apricot plants , helps you integrate Rouge Otelo-cov into your varietal strategy. You can purchase Rouge Otelo-cov apricot plants with tailored support to ensure optimal growth of your orchard.
Trust a specialist wholesale supplier of apricot plants like Arboriverse to purchase Rouge Otelo-cov apricot plants under the best conditions. Take advantage of our field expertise, our professional network, and our commitment to the success of your plantings.
